Parco naturale dei Mulini, Nature reserve in San Quirico d'Orcia, Italy.
Parco naturale dei Mulini is a nature reserve containing four underground mills carved into travertine cliffs within a landscape shaped by thermal springs. The mills employ a system with horizontal wheels connected directly to millstones through vertical shafts powered by flowing water.
The mills were built to harness constant thermal waters for grain milling, giving them an advantage over conventional river mills that depended on seasonal flow. The milling center remained active until the 1950s, supporting the region with year-round grain production.
The mills represent centuries of local craftsmanship relying on natural thermal resources to support community life. People depended on these structures for their daily bread, making them central to the rhythm of village existence.
The site can be explored through marked trails that lead to the underground structures and natural caves. Visitors can choose between self-guided exploration or joining organized tours to better understand the complex.
The mills tap directly into thermal water flowing from the rock, ensuring constant temperature and preventing freezing in winter when conventional mills shut down. This clever use of natural heat meant the complex could produce flour continuously throughout the year.
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